Remember 1987?

Remember 1987? No we don't either, apparently it was a year that started with heavy snow across the UK and sub-zero temperatures freezing the land. British Airways, that great British pride and joy was privatised. A prescription cost £2.40. Somehow an actor was President of the United States (some things don't change) and the Iron lady was truly in full flow. Sunflower paintings were going for £24,750,000 and more importantly Derek was studying for his degree.

From a working class background and a motivation to just be better, Derek had funded himself through higher education by a series of bar jobs and summer jobs. His favourite summer job being the time he spent packing pegs in a warehouse in Ramsbottom. Eight pegs per side and two packs per bag, oh Marks and Spencer were a lucky bunch to be selling such hand crafted pegs. It was here that he questioned the World the most, why is the lighting so poor in here, and just because we pack these pegs in Ramsbottom, how does that make them "made in Britain"?

Missing out on a first meant the hard road, first a job with a lighting manufacturer, but more focusing on customer service then design and innovation. Then a break into a role within a consultancy firm, okay its CAD only but I'm on the path I'm on the road I may be able to get out of this bedsit and into a flat. Life is changing.

Playing their part in his future Derek was presented with a role within a lighting specialist, application, design and innovation was on offer, fulfilment was in reach.

Derek isn't happy and content now, but the bedsit has gone, replaced with a wife and two kids. The problems had changed and life is tougher now than ever before, he longs for the days of packing pegs and pondering the meaning of life. He wishes he'd studied philosophy.